What Makes This A $500,000 Watch?

by Michael Satterfield - 07/05/2022

Unless you are a hardcore watch aficionado it is likely that you have never heard of Swiss Watchmaker Greubel Forsey, in the legacy of Swiss watches, the company is still in its infancy having only been founded in 2004. But while the brand might not have a history stretching back to the 16th century, they are setting the standard for precision timekeeping and artistry.

This new Tourbillon 24 Secondes Architecture is non-traditional, with components seemingly suspended in space, showcasing the incredible craftsmanship the movement is ringed with text highlighting the company's values: Architecture, Harmonie, Innovation, Technique, Bienfacture, Passion, Science, Exclusivité, Créativité.

This new case construction offers a look at even the smallest detail of the movement and allows light to penetrate almost unhindered. The design is enhanced by the light that passes through the case, casting shadows and highlighting unique features of this stunning movement. The case is a technical achievement in modern manufacturing itself, but the movement is what makes Tourbillon 24 Secondes truly special.

The polished titanium bridges immediately stand out from the frosted finish of the mainplate, at 6 o'clock, a large spherical and openworked bridge with a hidden base seems to defy gravity. The barrel bridge at 10 o'clock also appears suspended in space. The caliber's energy source provides 90 hours chronometric power reserve, which is indicated by a moving red triangle over a conical disk at 3 o’clock. It too is held in place by another large polished titanium bridge. In the center, we find two large curved hands, indicating the hours and minutes, mounted on a signature Greubel Forsey tripod bridge.

This highly complex handmade watch will be limited to only 11 pieces in 2022, then to 18 pieces a

the year between 2023 and 2025 for a total of 65 exclusive timepieces overall with a retail price of $500,000 USD.

What makes the Tourbillon 24 Secondes worth half a million dollars? Exclusivity and craftsmanship, while the company might only be 18 years old Greubel Forsey has won countless awards from the top horological competitions in the world and its founders have resumes from some of the top watchmakers in the world. Plus each Greubel Forsey is limited production so owners are buying into an exclusive club, which many in the high-end watch community find value in. Plus many collectors see luxury timepieces as investments or places to park capital as a hedge against inflation.

Specifcations:

Movement

Overall diameter: 38.70mm
Thickness: 12.35mm
Movement: 354 parts
Tourbillon cage: 86 parts
Weight of the cage: 0.38g
Number of jewels: 42
Olived-domed jewels in gold chatons
Chronometric power reserve: 90 hours

Barrels

Three coaxial series-coupled fast-rotating barrels (1 turn in 3.2 hours), one of which is equipped with a slipping spring to avoid excess tension
Engraved pattern with Greubel Forsey, lacquered, circular-grained

Balance Wheel

Variable-inertia with gold mean-time screws (10mm diameter)
Frequency 21’600 vibrations/hour
Balance springs: Phillips terminal curve
Geneva-style stud

Bridges and Main Plate

Titanium Frosted, polished bevelling and countersinks
Polished spherical bridges, polished bevelling and countersinks
Three-dimensional center bridge, frosted, polished bevelling, and countersinks

Movement side

Three-dimensional power-reserve bridge, frosted, polished bevelling, and countersinks
Tourbillon bridge, polished bevelling, and countersinks, circular-grained
Engraved pattern with individual number, circular-grained, straight-grained flanks

Tourbillon

Inclined at a 25° angle, 24-seconds rotation
Light alloy cage pillars
Titanium cage bridges
Gold counterweight

Gearing

Involute circle profile
Tangential inclined gear on fixed wheel and profiled teeth on escape wheel pinion

Displays

Hours and minutes
Small seconds
Power reserve on a sector
Tourbillon rotation

Case

Titanium and synthetic sapphire crystal
Three-dimensional, variable geometry bezel with raised engraved text
Synthetic sapphire crystal over the entire periphery of the caseband
Three-dimensional, variable geometry lugs, hand-polished with hand-finished straight graining
Transparent back with synthetic sapphire crystal
Titanium security screws
Raised engraving “Architecture 1” and “Greubel Forsey”

Case Dimensions

Caseband diameter: 47.05mm
Bezel diameter: 45.50mm
Height: 16.80mm
Water-resistant 5atm - 50m - 164ft (standard NIHS 92-20/SN ISO 22810:2010)

Crown

Titanium, polished and frosted, with GF logo

Dial Side

Three-dimensional, variable geometry hour-ring, indexes with Super-LumiNova
Power-reserve indicator, circular-grained, engraved, and lacquered
Gold small second indicator, circular-grained, polished flank
24-second tourbillon rotation indicator

Hands

Hours and minutes, curved profile, polished steel with Super-Luminova
Small seconds, red triangle
Power-reserve rack, circular-grained, polished bevelling, straight-grained flanks
24-second double-tipped, black anodized aluminum

Strap and Clasp